Inspection Service Scores Home Run in Mail Security for All-Star Game

Front Row, from left: Assistant Inspector In Charge Delany DeLeon-Colon and Postal Inspector JaLeesa Osborne. Second Row, from left: Senior Technical Surveillance Specialist Thomas Ludwig, Postal Inspector/Team Leader Bladismir Rojo, Postal Inspector Daniel Borja, Postal Inspector Ivan Ramirez, Postal Inspector/Team Leader Delfin Alvarez, Postal Inspector Reldys Torres, Postal Inspector Vivian Guerrero, Operations Technician Robert LaTorre, and Postal Inspector Johnny Niedzwiedzki. Third Row, from left: Postal Inspector Brian McCarthy, Postal Inspector Otto Fernandez, Postal Inspector Lorenzo Somoza, and Senior Technical Surveillance Specialist Stephen Godlewski.

Security is a high priority at sporting events around the country, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division scored a home run in mail security during Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game activities in Miami.

All high-visibility sporting events, including the MLB All-Star Game, Super Bowl, and Olympic Games to name a few, are a national security concern that requires the coordination of federal, state, and local law enforcement resources. Recently, MLB secured the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division to conduct mail and package screening prior to delivery of items to Marlins Park, as well as to local hotels where players and dignitaries resided during All-Star Game activities. Inspectors were responsible for the visual and physical screening of all U.S. mail and products to include goods shipped via private courier, i.e. DHL, FedEx, and UPS under protocols of national security.

During the week of July 6, the Postal Inspection Service Team reported for duty 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Miami Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC). Postal Inspectors/Team Leaders Del Alvarez and Bladismir (Blad) Rojo led the organized security checks on the South Platform. Postal Inspectors, including  the Dangerous Mail Investigations (DMI) Team, thoroughly screened mail and packages for signs of Hazardous Materials and/or Biological/Chemical Threats, as well as Radiation and Potentially Explosive Devices or Improvised Explosion Devices, at their Mobile Mail Screening Box Truck (MMSBT). Postal Inspector Ivan Ramirez worked closely with DHL, FedEx and UPS personnel to ensure the safety of all concerned.

Postal Inspector Johnny Niedzwiedzki (right) stood watch for all mail and packages arriving on the Miami Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) South Platform. Miami Flagler Station Letter Carrier Vikki Purdy (left) dropped off mail and packages destinating Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star venues for screening.  

General Analyst Karina Capo (left) and Postal Inspector Vivian Guerrero (right) distributed packages between equipment destined to Major League Baseball (MLB) venues. 

Operations Technician Robert LaTorre (above) recorded mail volume statistics in the laptop.

Postal Inspector Ivan Ramirez (right) stood watch as FedEx employees unloaded their packages at the South Platform of the Miami Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC).

Photos: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte